How does training my Pokemon and not using rare candies on my Pokemon help it get stronger?

Question

I recently got my Pokemon up to level 98. I had saved up two rare candies JUST for this Pokemon. But my friend told me not to use them and to just finish leveling my Typhlosion up myself. Then she said it affects EV's. How do EV's help him, is there a downside to my rare candies, and why would all this affect my Pokemon?

Answer 1

EVs are Effort Values. Effort Values allow your stats increase. With every 4 EVs in a stat that stat is increased by 1 point. But since you leveled your Typhlosion up to level 98 its safe to assume that you collected the max EVs you can get (510 or 508 whichever you want to say) so you can go ahead and use the Rare Candies if you want.